Refrain from fear-mongering amid Middle East crisis —Palace

"Let's refrain from fear-mongering."

Malacañang issued this reminder as the public feels the impact of the ongoing tension in the Middle East, particularly the oil price shocks. 

At a press briefing in Cebu, Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro was asked about the call of House Deputy Speaker Raymond Democrito Mendoza for President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. to declare a state of national emergency so that the government can temporarily take over the oil industry to regulate fuel prices.

Castro said the country is not in that situation, noting that the administration is in control of the situation. 

''Let us refrain from doing activities like fear-mongering. Mas nakakadagdag po ito ng takot sa ating mga kababayan samantalang ang Pangulo po at ang gobyerno ay still in control of the situation,'' Castro said.

(This adds to the fear of the public when the President and the entire government are still in control of the situation.) 

On Monday evening, Marcos outlined government actions to cushion the impact of rising oil prices amid Middle East tensions.

The President said the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) will provide fuel subsidies to farmers and fisherfolk.

He also said the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines is expected to reduce passenger service charges, landing fees, parking fees, and other airport fees.

Earlier, Marcos also led the distribution of P5,000 cash assistance for drivers of public utility vehicles who are gravely affected by the oil price shocks. 

The President has certified as urgent a measure seeking to amend the Biofuels Act of 2006.

In a letter to Congress dated March 16, he said the urgent certification aims to mitigate the impact of rising fuel prices amid escalating geopolitical tensions and global oil market volatility. —VAL, GMA Integrated News